Alan Armstrong picked to fill Markwayne Mullin's Senate seat through end of 2026
Oklahoma's governor appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to serve in the U.S. Senate through the end of the year and finish the term of Republican Markwayne Mullin, the new homeland security secretary .
Objective Facts
Alan Armstrong was appointed to the Senate seat vacated by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R), who was confirmed as homeland security secretary Monday . Armstrong has spent his career with Williams Companies, which employs about 5,800 people and specializes in the collection, storage and transportation of natural gas. He became president and CEO in 2011 and transitioned to executive chairman last year . Armstrong will serve in the Senate through the end of the year to finish the last nine months of the term. Under Oklahoma law, he must agree not to run for a full term this fall . Stitt met with the president, the leadership of the Senate, John Thune, and asked what was needed from the appointment. The consensus was a need for someone who can work across the aisle to get permitting reform done . Republican U.S. Rep Kevin Hern quickly announced his candidacy for the Senate seat and has already been endorsed by President Donald Trump .
Left-Leaning Perspective
The New Republic's coverage identifies a tension within Trump's orbit: Armstrong has been called a "Never Trump" Republican by those on the far right, mostly due to his large donation to the campaign of former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger following the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. Kinzinger had criticized President Trump over his lies about the 2020 election being stolen and served on the House January 6 investigative committee with fellow Trump nemesis Liz Cheney. Right-wing talking head Laura Loomer posted Sunday on X: "Has anyone told President Trump that the Governor of Oklahoma is bringing a Never Trumper who donated to a rabid anti-Trump Congressman who voted to impeach him after J6 to meet with him?" This highlights internal Republican divisions over Armstrong's selection, which contradicts the narrative that the appointment was Trump-endorsed. Meanwhile, Oklahoma's state-level Democratic leader took a measured approach. Oklahoma Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt released a statement congratulating Armstrong on his honor, noting that "His expertise in energy means he has real perspective on cost of living and how challenging it can be for people to afford the essentials". This pragmatic stance reflects Democratic powerlessness in deep-red Oklahoma rather than enthusiasm for the appointment.
Right-Leaning Perspective
Governor Stitt described Armstrong as "a proud third-generation Oklahoman, staunch conservative, respected business leader, and a devoted family man with an inspiring American Dream story", emphasizing both his character and ideological alignment. Stitt stated "Alan is strongly aligned with President Trump on energy policy. Few people have done more to champion the America-first agenda to keep Oklahoma at the center of domestic energy production". Conservative outlets and Republican figures stress Armstrong's industry expertise and pragmatic appointment logic. Former Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr., described Armstrong as an "even-tempered individual" who is more likely to build consensus around a decision rather than being driven by political ideology. Bartlett said Armstrong's knowledge of the energy industry and its market factors also make him an ideal selection, particularly as the Iran war rattles the global flow of oil. "I think that certainly is a great approach, finding consensus for making a decision," Bartlett said. The appointment is framed as a strategic choice aligned with Trump administration priorities. Stitt said he chose Armstrong after meeting in Washington with Trump and Senate leadership, who told him that changes to permitting would be a major priority for the party this year. Stitt characterized it as "a nonpolitical pick" and "the pick that I thought was going to serve our country the best".
Deep Dive
Alan Armstrong's appointment represents a rare moment of alignment between Trump, Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, and even some elements of the business community—despite latent tensions. The appointment occurs in the specific context of needing to fill Markwayne Mullin's Senate seat after his confirmation as Homeland Security Secretary, a position vacated by Kristi Noem. Under Oklahoma law, Armstrong cannot run for a full Senate term, making this a true caretaker role lasting until year-end 2026. The framing of the appointment reveals competing narratives. Republicans emphasize that Trump and Senate leadership specifically requested someone who could "work across the aisle" on permitting reform—a practical, technocratic rationale. However, The New Republic's reporting on Armstrong's past donation to Adam Kinzinger (who voted to impeach Trump) and resulting criticism from Laura Loomer demonstrates that Armstrong's selection creates friction within Trump's base. This suggests either that Trump and Senate leadership prioritized permitting reform expertise over ideological purity, or that the "Never Trump" label, while real, does not disqualify Armstrong from the administration's favor. The absence of coordinated Democratic opposition (beyond Oklahoma's state-level leadership acknowledging the appointment) reflects both Democratic weakness in deep-red Oklahoma and pragmatic acceptance that the seat will remain Republican regardless. What remains unresolved is whether Armstrong will prioritize energy deregulation in alignment with Trump and Senate Republicans, or whether his past support for Kinzinger and January 6 investigation signals independence. His own statements focus narrowly on permitting reform without addressing broader Trump agenda items. Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, who has already secured Trump's endorsement for the fall 2026 Senate race, will likely be Armstrong's successor, suggesting the party is focused on maintaining control of the seat while using Armstrong's temporary tenure to advance energy infrastructure priorities.